Author: Rhys Gregory

AN INSPIRATIONAL former college leader from Denbighshire has been appointed to one of the oldest and most prestigious roles in public life. David Jones, of Bontuchel near Ruthin, has been appointed High Sheriff of Clwyd for 2026–27 by King Charles III. He was formally installed at a Declaration Ceremony at the Old Courthouse in Ruthin, marking the start of a year in one of the most historic and respected Royal appointments in Wales. The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’s representative in the county – a rare, voluntary and non-political Royal appointment with a history stretching back over 1,000 years, supporting…

Wales is set for a mixed but improving weekend of weather, with rain and strong winds clearing to brighter conditions and sunshine for many by Sunday, according to the Met Office. A band of wet and rather windy weather is expected to move eastwards across the country on Friday morning, bringing a damp and blustery start to the day. However, conditions will steadily improve through the afternoon, with brighter skies developing and just the chance of a few isolated showers later on. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of around 15°C, with winds easing as the day goes on. Overnight,…

A hugely anticipated festive attraction returning to South Wales has already seen a surge in demand, with many of the most popular dates snapped up within hours of tickets going on sale. Organisers of the THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the Brecon Mountain Railway have confirmed that due to the high level of early bookings, a number of initial dates have now sold out. In response, two additional dates have been added to the schedule, giving more families the chance to experience the magical Christmas event. The newly released dates, Wednesday 19 November and Wednesday 26 November 2026, are…

Llandrinio Bridge will close overnight next week to recover the original stone from the riverbed. As long as the weather and river conditions allow, this first phase to the repair work will begin on the evening of Monday 20 April 2026 for four consecutive nights. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 8pm to 6am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night. “Water levels have been monitored over recent months, and we are pleased that they have now lowered enough for us to progress with the plans to repair Llandrinio Bridge.” Explains Matt Perry, Chief Officer Place “Such…

Food lovers are in for a treat as the Caerphilly Food & Drink Festival returns this weekend, bringing a packed day of flavours, entertainment and family fun to the heart of the town. Taking place on Saturday 18 April, the popular annual event will see more than 80 food and drink vendors set up across Caerphilly town centre, offering a wide range of dishes from around the world. Visitors can expect everything from sweet treats such as cookies, cakes and ice cream to savoury favourites including burgers, hot dogs and, fittingly, plenty of cheese. A variety of global cuisines will…

New secure cycle storage has begun appearing across Cardiff city centre, as part of a wider rollout aimed at making it easier and safer for people to get around by bike. Cardiff Council has confirmed that dozens of new BikeDok lockers are being installed, with 36 units now being placed at key locations across the city centre. Cyclists will soon spot the new lockers at sites including National Museum Cardiff, Queen Street, Park Place, Hills Street, Central Library Cardiff and St Mary Street, with six lockers installed at each location. The move forms part of a second phase of secure…

Residents and visitors are being invited to step back in time and explore one of the city’s most historic landmarks, as a free guided walk returns to Cathays Cemetery later this month. Taking place on Sunday 26 April at 11am, the two hour heritage walk will guide attendees through the cemetery’s historic grounds, uncovering stories of the people who helped shape Cardiff over more than 160 years. Participants will meet at the chapels near the Fairoak Road entrance, before setting off on a journey through the site, which first opened in July 1859. Since then, more than 224,000 burials have…

A woman has been given a suspended prison sentence after repeatedly using fake banknotes in shops across South Wales. Caroline Mahon, 42, from Wokingham, appeared at Slough Court where she was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to pay £200 in costs after pleading guilty to two counts of forgery. The court heard how Mahon used multiple counterfeit £50 notes in stores across the South Wales area, targeting businesses over a period of time. South Wales Police said the case highlights the ongoing issue of fraud and the impact it can have on…

A man from Bridgend has been jailed for multiple thefts following an investigation by the local neighbourhood policing team. Jordan Robson, 32 from Bridgend was sentenced on Wednesday April 14 at Cardiff Magistrates Court to 26 weeks in prison. This sentence follows guilty pleas to 11 counts of theft and one count of theft from a motor vehicle. Between November 2025 and April 2026, Robson was involved in 11 thefts from seven stores across the Bridgend area; in total he stole over £1,000 worth of items. These included three thefts from Sainsbury’s in Bridgend where Jones stole over £300 worth…

A team of Year Six pupils from Ysgol Cynwyd Sant in Maesteg have been named the UK STEM Primary National Champions for 2026 after triumphing in the finals against 70 other schools as well as international teams from Hong Kong, Germany and Singapore. Held at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, the 2026 STEM Racing UK National Final was organised as part of the International Formula 1 STEM competition, which encourages children to develop skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by designing and building a model Formula 1 racing car. Under their team name of Phoenix Fires, the…